TN: House passes abortion decriminalization bill despite complaints it will hurt women
After lively debate Monday, the Tennessee House passed legislation decriminalizing some forms of abortion in the state, giving physicians the opportunity to save women experiencing deadly pregnancies based on “reasonable judgment.”
The House voted 83-11 in favor of the legislation with two abstaining. Two Republicans voted against the bill, and 13 Democrats voted for it.
The bill was changed significantly in the House Health Committee last week after the original amendment passed in the Population Health Subcommittee on Feb. 14 with only one no vote.
Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes acknowledged last week that Tennessee Right to Life endorsed the newer amendment. But sources told the Tennessee Lookout, the language was written by the governor’s office and the Senate speaker’s office with help from the attorney general’s office.
“When I committed to carry this legislation, I was determined to make sure the affirmative defense was removed so doctors could protect the lives of mothers and babies. We accomplished that with this amendment,” said Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, an East Ridge Republican who sponsored the measure.
Helton-Haynes contended the bill provides more “clarify” and enables physicians to remain innocent until proven guilty by removing the “affirmative defense” that would force them to defend themselves in court, cover their costs and potentially affect their liability insurance and hospital privileges.
Democrats continued to argue that the language in the bill is too narrow and could put women in a dangerous situation, forcing doctors to wait until the last minute to save a woman by aborting a pregnancy.
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/house-passes-abortion-decriminalization-bill-despite-complaints-it-will-hurt-women
